Chute for mills, granaries, warehouses, and the like.



W. P. GRUIGKSHANK. GHUTE FOE MILLS, GRANARIES, WAREHOUSES, AND THE LIKE. APPLIOATION FILED JAN. 20. 1908.

921,595. Patented May 11, 1909.

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W. P. CRUIGKSHANK. 'GHUTE FOB MILLS, GRANARIES, WAREHOUSES, AND THE LIKE.

APPLICATION IILED JAN. 20. 190B.

921 ,595, Patented May 11, 1909.

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WILLIAM PATRICK GRUIOKSHANK, or BONNINGTON, EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND.

CHUTE FOB MILLS, GRANARIES, WAREHOUSES, AND THE LIKE.

Application filed. January 20, 1908.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM PATRICK Chancelot Mills, Bolmington, Edinburgh,

Scotland, miller, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Chutes for Mills, Granaries, Warehouses, and the Like, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in chutes for material in sacks or done up in other bulk form, for use in mills, granaries, warehouses and the like.

The object of the invention is to provide an.

improved construction and arrangement of chute for goods in bulk.

I The invention consists in a gravity chute in which the speed attained under gravity by the goods when they are traveling in the chute from one floor to several floors below does not exceed substantially the speed attaincd by the goods when traveling under gravity from one floor to the next. By the invention the speed attained by goods delivered fromsay-the top floor to the ground or loading floor, does not exceed that attained by the goods delivered from the first floor to the ground or loading floor.

The invention also consists in a chute formed with a curvature between each floor and the next which diverts the moving paokages from the vertical direction to the horizontal whereby the rate of motion is retarded between each floor and the next.

The invention also consists in providing such a chute with means whereby the goods falling from an upper floor may be intercepted at either of the floors below.

The invention further consists in a gravity chute in which the speed attained under gravity by the goods when descending in the chute is reduced and the goods finallybrought to rest by the friction of the goods upon the sides of a curved part of the chute provided at its lower extremity.

The invention also consists in a gravity chute having the lower end constructed with two bends, the second substantially at right angles to the first.

The invention also consists in the construction of gravity chutes hereinafter described.

Referring now to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 shows a section through a four story building with the improved chute in part section; Figs. 2 and 3 show front and Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented. May 11, 1909.

Serial No. 411,706.

side elevations of a further modification of the invention.

In carrying this invention into effect according to one construction, I provide between each floor and the next, a vertical chute, a, which is provided with a bend, b, extending preferably at right angles to the vertical portion. The end of the horizontal portion, 0, of the chute is situated above the vertical portion, a, of a similar chute extending to the next lower floor. The distance of translation in a horizontal direction of the sacks or goods falling in the chute, between one floor and the next in relation to the vertical distance through which they fall may be about equal to one another or the distance of horizontal translation may be made consid erably less than the vertical, in which case, however, the lower portion of the chute is preferably provided with retarding means or the curvature of the bend, t, is proportionally reduced. The retarding may conveniently be effected by curving upward the end of the horizontal part of the chute, as shown at d. The end of the chute, c, is situated 1mmediately above or it opens into the top, 6, of the vertical portion, a, of the next chute below. There is preferably provided at the top of each section of the chute a curved,

hinged or pivoted cover, f, which in one position serves to change the direction of movement of the package at the lower end, 0, of each section of the chute from horizontal to vertical, as well as to turn the package from the horizontal position to the vertical, as shown in the drawing in the case of the third and second floors, and in another position serves as a stop for packages passing along the horizontal part, c, of the chute if the goods are not to be passed to the chute below,

as shown in the case of the first floor, in the drawing.

The chute, a, may be made tubular or inclosed through the Whole or only a part of its length and may be provided with movable side guiding pieces.

The portion of the vertical chute, a, in proximity to the horizontal end,- c, of the one next above it may be provided with a door, g,

' through which a loading table may be passed.

This loading table may be hinged to the top of the chute or may be independent therefrom. The end of the horizontal portion, 0, at its bottom edge is preferably curved or provided with a small curved lip piece, h. Packgoods in ages lodge upon the table, 0, in the horizontal position or if desired-mayi be glided over-the edge, h, of the horizontal portion, 0, and come to rest'in the vertical positionin-which case a portable or hinged lid, 90, is fitted to cover orobstruct the opening to the-vertical portion a, of the chute belowv as shown at'the second floor in Fig. 1.

directed in opposite directions ibetween alternate floors, but if desired, theycan'bearranged to deliverin the same direction or at any desired angle.

A considerable saving of space is eilected by chutes arrangedaccording to the present invention. jMoreover it will'be seen thatthe velocity of the goods is retarded and the goods are brought-almost to a standstillat the end ofthe horizontal portion, c, ofeach section of the chute so that the velocity attained by the goods'in passinglfromeven the top floor to the loading tableorgroundfloor, never exceeds thatwhich isattained by the passing from one floor only to the next below. The goods may be removed from the chute atany intermediateifloor.

According to the second modification as illustrated in Figs.,2 and 3,.a vertical chute, a, is provided passing from the top ffloor to the delivery floor of the building. Openings 9 areprovided at eachfloor for the introductionol the goods into the chute. Atthe'bottom of the chute is a curved portion, 1). This curved portion'isformed of two curves the second lying in a direction at right angles to the first, the second curve discharging upon a horizontal loading out platform 0, provided at 'its extreme end with an upturned portion d, for the purpose of arresting the packages when their velocity tends to carry them farther than tl'ielhorizontahportion 1. It willbe seen that the speed of descent of the package will vary according to the height at which itis loaded into the chute so that the point at which the package will stop will beat some oint in the horizontal loading out table, 0, etween the end of the second curve and the upturnedportion d, at the end of the horizontal,table,'according as it is loaded into the chute from the lower or upper floors of the building and thus in some cases the upturned part at may not be re quired. The action of the device is as follows :A package loaded into the chute at one of the up er floors proceeds downward in the vertical art of the chute, gathering impetus as it falIs. Goming to the firstfbend 1n the chute the package impinges thereon It is desirable to ar-. range the.bends,b,,so that their mouths are and is deflected in opposition to centrifugal :l'orce .in the direction zto the second curve which is at right angles to the first. The

effect of the centrifugal action against the sides of the chute is to cause considerable l'riction-which has the eitect ol-retarding the package.dissipating-its impetus, the package finally coming to rest at some point upon the horizontal loading out table.

Having now described my invention what 'I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is .1. ,A gravity chute consisting of a plurality of stages each stage comprising in combination a vertical 'l'all portion, a horizontal portionand a curved portionjoining the vertical and horizontal portions together with deflecting means to guide the packages from theihorizontal portion of one stage into the vertical portion of the next stage said deflecting portions being adapted when reversed to arrest the packages.

2. In combination in a multi-stage gravity chute in'which each stage comprises a vertical fall portion, a horizontal portion, and a curved portion joining the vertical and horizontal portions, means at each stage which act to intercept the packages at any desired stage, substantially as described.

3. In combination in a multi-stage gravity chute in which each stage comprisesa vertical fall portion, a horizontal portion and a curved portion joining the vertical and horizontal portion, means at each stage which act to deflect the packages from the horizontal portion of onestage into the vertical ,l'all portion of the next stage, substantially as described.

4. In combination in a gravity chute formed with a curvature between each floor and the next which diverts the moving packages lrom the vertical direction to the horizontal whereby therate of motion is retarded between each floor and the next floor below, means which in one position act as deflectors to'lead the packages from the horizontal portion into the vertical portions of the chute and in another position act as arresters to stop the packages at either of the intermediate floors.

In testimony whereof I havehereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing wit nesses.

WILLIAM PATRICK CR-UIOKSl-IANK.

Witnesses JOHN PAISLEY, JAMEs THoMsoN. 

